WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Nordson Corporation (Nasdaq: NDSN
- News) reported record sales and earnings for the fourth quarter, which
ended October 30, 2005. Sales for the fourth quarter reached $239.8 million,
a 5 percent increase over sales of $228.4 million for the same period
of 2004. Virtually all of this increase was attributed to volume growth.

On a diluted basis, fourth-quarter earnings per share
were $.80, a 51 percent increase over the prior year's $.53, which included
a $3.3 million pretax charge, or $.06 per share on an after-tax basis,
related to a disposition of a minority equity investment.

Fourth-quarter sales volume for the Advanced Technology
segment was up 41 percent. Volume was down 4 percent in each of the Adhesive
Dispensing and Finishing and Coating segments. On a geographic basis,
fourth-quarter volume was up 6 percent in the United States, 18 percent
in the Americas and 24 percent in the Asia Pacific region. Volume was
down in Europe and Japan by 2 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

Annual sales for the fiscal year, which ended October
30, 2005, were a record $839.2 million, a 6 percent increase from fiscal
2004 sales of $793.5 million. Sales volume was up 4 percent, while favorable
currency effects contributed an additional 2 percent to sales growth.
On a diluted basis, earnings per share for the year were a record $2.14,
compared with $1.73 in 2004. Current year earnings per share include an
$.08 favorable effect from a lower effective tax rate related primarily
to recognition of foreign tax credits.

Backlog at year-end was approximately $78 million, compared
with $77 million for the same period of the prior year at 2005 actual
exchange rates.

"I am pleased with Nordson's strong performance
for both the fourth quarter and the entire year, as we have again achieved
record numbers in sales volume and earnings per share," said Edward
P. Campbell, chairman and chief executive officer.

"Our Advanced Technology segment continues to produce
exceptional results," Campbell said. "I am also encouraged by
the performance of our core Adhesive Dispensing businesses. Sales volume
for the segment was up 6 percent, when excluding the large engineering
systems businesses."

As previously announced, Nordson will pay a first-quarter
2006 cash dividend of $0.165 per common share on January 4, 2006 to shareholders
of record on December 19, 2005. Nordson has increased its dividend per
common share for 42 consecutive years.

Nordson Corporation is one of the world's leading producers
of precision dispensing equipment that applies adhesives, sealants and
coatings to a broad range of consumer and industrial products during manufacturing
operations. The company also manufactures technology-based systems for
curing and surface treatment processes. Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio,
Nordson has more than 3,600 employees worldwide, and direct operations
and sales support offices in 30 countries.

Except for historical information and comparisons contained
herein, statements included in this release may constitute "forward-looking
statements," as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties
and other factors, as discussed in the company's filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission that could cause actual results to differ.